We stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park for a quick visit.

The red rock formations of Sedona are stunning to behold, but there is much more depth to the rocks than meets the eye.  There are special spiritual vortexes that exist in Sedona.  These energy centers are located around Sedona, and can be more intense at the actual site of each vortex (4 main vortexes in Sedona) where a person may feel uplifted, inspired, or a strong positive sensation.

The above is Bell Rock, where the “balance” of masculine and feminine vortex is located.  I’m not sure if it was the vortexes I felt, but in a place so beautiful, how can you not feel good??

 
In the early summer of 1993 after graduating from university, my mom and I drove my little Honda Accord out to Los Angeles to start my first job.  Our drive out to LA was an adventure.  Remember when there were no safety nets like cell phones or the internet.  Driving across the country, you were on your own.  If you ran out of gas, you were walking to a gas station.  If your tire needed to be changed, you hoped a pay phone was nearby to call AAA.  Cross-country travel was still considered dauting and exciting.
Aside from sleeping at night, my mom and I drove straight from Michigan to California with the exception of making one stop– at the Grand Canyon.  The allure of the Grand Canyon took us off the highway, turning us into tourists, if not for just one hour.  That was the first and only time my mom and I ever did anything so adventurous, just the two of us.  It was a fun trip.  Thanks mom.

When I get home to Philadelphia, I’m going to see if I can find the photo that was taken in 1993 with my mom and I (rather than Mike and I, as above) standing in the exact same place in front of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

A short hike off the highway near Page, Arizona takes you to this amazing viewpoint where the Colorado River cuts through the sandstone canyon in the shape of an upside-down horseshoe.  From the top where we sat to watch the sunset, is about 1000 feet up.

 
Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land outside of Page, Arizona.  These slot canyons are carved into the Navajo sandstone from water erosion.  The canyons feel dimensional, multi-colored and organic.  The sunlight flooding in at some spots make the place seem mystical.